Warren’s Alpine cycle challenge

Warren Campbell who is attempting to do the Tour du Mont Blanc solo for Cancer Fund for Children

Published:07:54Wednesday 20 July 2016

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Warren Campbell is taking on a mountainous challenge this week as he aims to cycle the Tour du Mont Blanc to raise funs for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

Warren, a Senior Instructor at Belfast Activity Centre, plans to travel through three countries in three days, covering 200 miles in the process with an 8,000 metre ascent.

Speaking about his challenge, Warren who lives in Dromore with his wife Nicola said: “This is something I have always wanted to do.

“I’m a keen cyclist although I’m not in any clubs but I do cycle along with some of the other instructors from work.

“A few years ago we rode from Mizen to Malin Head for the same charity and back at Christmas time when a few of us decided to go to Chamonix in the French Alps for a week in July I thought it would be a good idea to give this route a go because it was always something on my bucket list.

“The Cancer Fund for Children is a charity that is close to my heart.

“I work with a lot of children and young people through my job and we have a residential place not that far from Daisy Lodge which is a purpose-built therapeutic centre for the charity in Newcastle, so I see the work they do for the children.”

Warren departed on Saturday for Chamonix before undertaking his gruelling ride on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“However, he isnt unduly daunted by the challenge ahead.

“I have been doing quite a bit of cycling in preparation,” continued Warren, a former pupil of Dunmurry High. “I cycle to work quite a bit which is a 17/18 mile cycle.

“Lately I have been going the long way to make it 30/40 miles and I would use is the Divis and Black Mountain. I would also use the Spelga Pass and Slieve Croob.

“It is going to be very challenging, 8,000 metres is pretty tough and some of the climbs are over 15 miles long.

“A few of them have been used before in the Tour de France so that gives you an idea of how hard they are.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge and hopefully in doing it I can raise money for the charity.”

If you would like to donate go to:www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Warrensoloalpinecycle?utm_source=Sharethis&utm campaign=pfp-email. medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Warrensoloalpinecycle&utm_campaign=pfp-emailmedium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Warrensoloalpinecycle&utm_campaign=pfp-email.